Japan expects deterrence to keep China in check over Senkakus

Just build a 7-11 or Lawson on these damned islands and end this silly debate about who owns them.

Both China and Japan have been caught in a classic mexican standoff. No way to back out, they must maintain the tense status-quo because anything else will have adverse outcomes.

The sad thing is, both of them know well that the aftermath is wa...y negatively bigger, but, the face ! the very face they must save is the very face heralding their doom.

Japan has been recommended/urged to build anti-ship missile and air defense sites on the islands for many years!! Japan's own inaction encourages China's infractions.

I want to know what Japan is going to do about the current invaders who have set up military bases here.

Worry about them, first.

China needs to back off, and not just the Senkakus. Their unilateral aggressive behavior is drawing the entire world together to stop them. Surely they can see that .

Japan seriously wants to "defend" a piece of territory that it itself is afraid to set foot on. That's because Corporate Japan is too much addicted to their Chinese feeders.

And Japan will be wrong. It is a first for me to defend any territorial claim of Japan but here I do

But it is wrong to make this interpretation public, China will use it to escalate things and see what Japan does if it tried to land a small boat with some people on the Senkakus.

Japan must without delay post a “ research team “ on the Senkakus , protected by the Japanese Navy or the Chinese will

Even the US government does nor support Japan's claim to the Senkaku Islands: "the United States does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands..." "Washington's position of neutrality over who has sovereignty over the uninhabited islets." The US opposes any attempt to change the status quo by force.

Sorry, Japan is alone on this issue.

Carl N Jpn GcjpToday  09:08 am JST

Japan has been recommended/urged to build anti-ship missile and air defense sites on the islands for many years!! Japan's own inaction encourages China's infractions.

This action would violate the US position on the Senkaku Islands. "The US opposes any attempt to change the status quo."

No country on earth supports Japan's claim to the islands. So, Japan will have to go it alone. Good luck with that.

joey stalinToday  10:27 am JST

Even the US government does nor support Japan's claim to the Senkaku Islands: "the United States does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands..." "Washington's position of neutrality over who has sovereignty over the uninhabited islets." The US opposes any attempt to change the status quo by force.

Sorry, Japan is alone on this issue.

Ridiculous. To date 4 US Secretaries of Defense, 4 US Secretaries of State and 2 US Presidents have declared that any attempt by another country to take the Senkakus will invoke Article 5 of the US-JPN Mutual Defense Treaty. Meaning the Senkakus are defended by the US.

The only country "alone" on a territorial dispute is Russia with the 4 southern kurile islands they stole from Japan after it had already surrendered in WWII.

marcelitoToday  10:39 am JST

None of this would be happening if that ultranationalist Ishihara oyaji didnt push the shady deal to buy the islands from their " private owners "and nationalize them. There were no "standoffs" before that fiasco.

You have swallowed the CCP propaganda hook line and sinker.

Prior to Ishihara's attempt to get involved, the Japanese Govt already owned one of the five islands. In fact, it had been used by the US Military as a live fore bombing training site. So one of the islands was already "nationalized" right from the end of WWII. The Kan administration foolishly bought 2 of the islands from their Japanese owners thinking that would stop Ishihara and prevent conflict with China.

China, which already had eyes on the Senkakus, took advantage of this and went ballistic claiming that "Japan nationalized the islands" as a justification to go all out on their attempt to take them. One of the islands was already "nationalized" and the two islands were purchased from Japanese individuals.

I suppose you also believe that the 9-Dash Line justifies China's ownership of the South China Sea, that no genocide is occuring in the Uigher Automonous Region and China has no intention of taking Taiwan.

Japan has been recommended/urged to build anti-ship missile and air defense sites on the islands for many years!! Japan's own inaction encourages China's infractions.

It is a great idea except that Japan can't compete against China in this respect. China has far faster, more destructive, more efficient missiles of all kinds. This is largely due to the Soviet Union/Russian helps. The US is not even willing to test China's coastal defenses.

...meaning Washington would defend Tokyo's interests in the event of an armed attack against the uninhabited islets...

Yes, of course, and in addition tomorrow is Christmas and Santa brings you a diamond coated Rolls-Royce. lol

Tokyo should just admit that the Tiauyutai/Senkaku isles are disputed territory.

The days of pretending and faking the terra nullius shenanigans is over and out.

Tokyo should wisely re-establish diplomatic ties with the most Nippon friendly nation on earth that is no other than 'ally' ROC-TW and settle the dispute amicably before the PROC turns those isles into a battlefield.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said Friday his recent remarks supporting Tokyo's claims over the sovereignty of the Japanese-controlled, China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea were an "error" and apologized for any confusion.

"There is no change to U.S. policy regarding the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands," the press secretary said, apparently referring to Washington's position of neutrality over who has sovereignty over the uninhabited islets.

"I do regret my error," he added.

Kirby said Tuesday during an off-camera press briefing, "We hold with the international community about the Senkakus and the sovereignty of the Senkakus, and we support Japan obviously in that sovereignty."

He was responding to questions on the situation in the waters near the islets, where concerns are growing over an escalation of tensions as Chinese coast guard vessels have been spotted following the recent implementation of Beijing's controversial coast guard law.

The law explicitly allows the Chinese coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships it sees as illegally entering China's waters. Kirby said Friday that U.S. President Joe Biden and other administration officials have offered reassurances to Tokyo regarding the country's "unwavering" commitment to the defense of Japan under Article 5 of the bilateral security treaty, which includes the Senkakus.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/02/27/national/pentagon-us-senkakus-error/

Hiro S NobumasaToday  01:15 pm JST

Tokyo should just admit that the Tiauyutai/Senkaku isles are disputed territory.

The days of pretending and faking the terra nullius shenanigans is over and out.

The only way for that to happen is for your China to take it to the ICJ. Of course that would mean China would have to agree to recognize ICJ/International juridiction over matters of sovereignty. Something China decalred it would never accept after losing to the Philippines at the PAC.

That the Senkakus were Terra Nullius was established 126 years without objection from anyone. It's high time your China stopped with it's shenanigans against all of it's neighbors.

I’ve personally seen a map that proves the Diaoyui Islands belong to China. China has an estimated 350 nuclear weapons and Japan 18. Is it worth it for some rocks in the ocean???

GoodlucktoyouToday 03:39 pm JST

China has an estimated 350 nuclear weapons and Japan 18. Is it worth it for some rocks in the ocean???

In what Universe or dimension does Japan have nuclear weapons?

OssanAmericaToday  03:05 pm JST

That the Senkakus were Terra Nullius was established 126 years without objection from anyone. It's high time your China stopped with it's shenanigans against all of it's neighbors.

OA, it's yar word vs. John Kirby's.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said Friday his recent remarks supporting Tokyo's claims over the sovereignty of the Japanese-controlled, China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea were an "error" and apologized for any confusion.

"There is no change to U.S. policy regarding the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands," the press secretary said, apparently referring to Washington's position of neutrality over who has sovereignty over the uninhabited islets.

"I do regret my error," he added.

OssanAmericaToday  03:05 pm JST

The only way for that to happen is for your China to take it to the ICJ. Of course that would mean China would have to agree to recognize ICJ/International juridiction over matters of sovereignty. Something China decalred it would never accept after losing to the Philippines at the PAC.

How nice of you to say that! Maybe you can help me claim money from Beijington via yar connections?

Japan expects deterrence to keep China in check over Senkakus

Fat chance! The CCP of course does not give up, and if Japan lets its guard down, one morning we will ourselves with a Chinese presence on the Senkakus.

Toasted HereticToday  09:11 am JST

I want to know what Japan is going to do about the current invaders who have set up military bases here.

Worry about them, first.

Excellent post!

Only Ryukyuans are aware of that plain truth!

So Tokyo is incapable of worrying about that!

China can have it, it's much closer to China/Taiwan anyway.

Japan should use this little piece of rock as a bargain chip to get China buy more Japanese goods

Toasted Heretic

I want to know what Japan is going to do about the current invaders who have set up military bases here.

Fine, you can kick them out if you want. But in that case, Japan will have to take care of its own defense, meaning a massive expansion of the current self-defense force.

Are you OK with that? Or do you want to turn Japan into another CCP vassal state right now?

joey stalin This action would violate the US position on the Senkaku Islands. "The US opposes any attempt to change the status quo."

No country on earth supports Japan's claim to the islands. So, Japan will have to go it alone. Good luck with that.

Sorry joey, It's obvious you do not know about the US-Japan Mutual Defense treaty nor the context of the "status quo" you mention. And that is China may NOT change the Status Quo which is Japan is in possession (owns) and administers the Islands. If you would actually READ the reports on the recent visit, the US REALLY DOES support Japan on this issue.

Funny title. What deterrence?

I want to know what Japan is going to do about the current invaders who have set up military bases here.

They are now allies and are welcome as long as China and North Korea remain threats.

Washington would defend Tokyo's interests in the event of an armed attack against the uninhabited islets.

Doubtful China would attack uninhabited Island's. Such things only happen for training.

No country on earth supports Japan's claim to the islands. So, Japan will have to go it alone. Good luck with that.

I would wager that many more nations believe Japan owns the Senkaku's than believe China does.

I think the last thing neither Japan or China wants is a war. Both of them know well there'll no winner, just utter destruction. The world's number 2&3 biggest economies would, more than anything else just want to trade and grow. If they can keep the Senkaku issue aside.

Cogito Ergo Sum

I think the last thing neither Japan or China wants is a war.

Depends on your definition of "war". CCP China is at war with Japan (and other countries) right now. Of course it is not a shooting war, but an economic, political, technological, and cultural war. Alas, our short-sighted, short-term-profit addicted Western elites refuse to see that.

Japan has been recommended/urged to build anti-ship missile and air defense sites on the islands for many years!! Japan's own inaction encourages China's infractions.

Japan has anti-ship and air defense missile batteries on Amami Oshima, Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island. These provide coverage the length of the Ryukyu Islands.

China has far faster, more destructive, more efficient missiles of all kinds. 

That is a statement that is not informed by the characteristics of either nation's weapons. There are good reasons western navies have stuck with subsonic cruise missiles but it is not something one may discuss on an open forum. But the Chinese missiles, or the Russian ones, are not ten feet tall and invincible. Not by a long shot. If you wish, you can read up on the US Navy experience with the Russian made MA-31. It was a version of the Kh-31 Krypton supersonic anti-ship missile converted to use as targets for the Navy to shoot at in training. Turned out they were kludge. They never met their performance claims, the Russian launch rails were scary wobbly things (the Navy eventually modified US launch rails to take the Russian missile for safety of flight reasons) their radar altimeters were terrible so the missiles could never fly low enough for what the US wanted them to do and they lacked range. Boeing had a plan to modify them to meet the needs of the US Navy but the Russians were upset at the US critique of their missiles and stopped selling them to the US. The US replaced it with GQM-163 Coyote. Btw, Japan's anti ship missiles work quite well. They bring them to the US every year for training on US ranges.

How many times does Japan need to be reassured" and the treaty " reaffirmed"...it's been what, a couple of dozen times in the last few years?

Those reaffirmations of US commitment are given as a warning to China lest they underestimate US commitment to defend ALL Japanese territory.

Fat chance! The CCP of course does not give up, and if Japan lets its guard down, one morning we will ourselves with a Chinese presence on the Senkakus.

There was an article in Reuters some weeks ago about the US Navy's fleet of four SSGNs, ballistic missile subs converted to carry something like 150 cruise missiles along with Marines or Seals. One of the subs was exercising with the JGSDF. The ship is equipped to launch Marines ashore to conduct raids but it was mentioned this particular boat's mission was to be able to put US Marines ashore on the Senkaku Islands before a Chinese force could be landed. The article didn't go into any detail how this was accomplished but it stated the US Navy felt the Chinese would be deterred from trying to land a force there if the US Marines were already ashore. I found it interesting this would be so explicitly stated in a major news source like Reuters but there it was. The US must feel it has sufficient ISR capability to detect the mustering of a Chinese landing force in sufficient time to put Marines ashore there before the Chinese can arrive.

I’ve personally seen a map that proves the Diaoyui Islands belong to China. China has an estimated 350 nuclear weapons and Japan 18. Is it worth it for some rocks in the ocean???

When did Japan acquire or build 18 nuclear weapons? Your whole statement is of questionable veracity. The Chinese offer up all kinds of maps "proving" their ownership of this and that, but those maps are worthless fabrications. Show us the map and the supporting documentation to back your claim or your claim is just more Chinese propaganda. Not worth the paper it's written on.

The best deterrence Japan could employ would be for one of their own Coast Guard ships to fire warning shots at the intruding Chinese Coast Guard ship, and if the ship still refused to leave, fire for effect. Taking a few rounds will convince the Chinese that Japan is serious about defending the Senkaku Islands. The thugs in the CCP only understand force. A refusal to employ force effectively is seen by them as a sign of weakness to be exploited.

"It is a great idea except that Japan can't compete against China in this respect."

Technologically Japan can compete against anybody.

In terms of dog eating capacity, they can't compete against China.

@joey stalin - Incorrect. The US just reiterated they will assist Japan in the defense of the Senkakus:

In 2021, aweek after his inauguration, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga ina telephone call discussed “the United States’ unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan under Article 5 of our security treaty, which includes the Senkaku Islands.” In his first conversation with his Japanese counterpart as Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin also reaffirmed the application of Article 5 to the Senkakus. Austin added, “[T]he United States opposes unilateral moves to change the status quo.”

Source: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42761.pdf

The above is from the Congressional Research Service. Not the distorted news media.

"China can have it, it's much closer to China/Taiwan anyway."

Certainly not.

Chia to the Senkakus: 400 KM

Japan (Ishigaki): 150 KM is the closest.

Japan (Miyako & Amami) all closer to the Senkakus than China will ever be!

Okinawa: 400 KM, same as China.

There are missiles (anti-air/anti-ship) on Miyako, Ishigaki, and Amami covering the Senkakus in its entirety.

Japan does not need to station military personnel on the Senkakus.

Any "armada" China sends will have to navigate through an overlapping barrage of missiles from Japanese islands much closer than the 400 KM China must navigate in order to get there in the first place.

Lets set up colonies of right wing fanatics on the Senkakus and let them believe it is their partonic duty to garrison these islands. Provide them with a lot of food, snack food and of course alcohol. We could feed them the surplus whale meat. It would not cost a lot of money and provide 2 great outcomes.

YuriOtaniToday  12:11 pm JST

Lets set up colonies of right wing fanatics on the Senkakus and let them believe it is their partonic duty to garrison these islands. Provide them with a lot of food, snack food and of course alcohol. We could feed them the surplus whale meat. It would not cost a lot of money and provide 2 great outcomes.

I think you’re a genius!

Hiro S NobumasaToday  01:36 am UTC

YuriOtaniToday  12:11 pm JST

Lets set up colonies of right wing fanatics on the Senkakus and let them believe it is their partonic duty to garrison these islands. Provide them with a lot of food, snack food and of course alcohol. We could feed them the surplus whale meat. It would not cost a lot of money and provide 2 great outcomes.

I think you’re a genius!

YuriOtaniToday  12:11 pm JST

Lets set up colonies of right wing fanatics on the Senkakus and let them believe it is their partonic duty to garrison these islands. Provide them with a lot of food, snack food and of course alcohol. We could feed them the surplus whale meat. It would not cost a lot of money and provide 2 great outcomes.

I think you’re a genius!

marcelitoMar. 18  06:14 pm JST

They also reaffirmed that the Senkakus fall under the scope of a security treaty between the two countries meaning Washington would defend Tokyo's interests in the event of an armed attack against the uninhabited islets.

How many times does Japan need to be reassured" and the treaty " reaffirmed"...it's been what, a couple of dozen times in the last few years?

As many times as it takes until your beloved China stops trying to take territory by coercion. The number of times Chinese CG ships have entered the Senkaku area is far far greater.

YuriOtaniToday  12:11 pm JST

Lets set up colonies of right wing fanatics on the Senkakus 

The only "right wing fanatics" involved are the CCP. And the World will stop them.

Hiro S NobumasaMar. 18  04:01 pm JST

OssanAmericaToday  03:05 pm JST

That the Senkakus were Terra Nullius was established 126 years without objection from anyone. It's high time your China stopped with it's shenanigans against all of it's neighbors.

OA, it's yar word vs. John Kirby's.

NO, it's the position of the Japanese Government which the United States Government has unequivocally declared will defend with military force if needed. Too bad for your beloved China, they have already lost the game.

OssanAmericaMar. 19  05:47 pm JST

NO, it's the position of the Japanese Government which the United States Government has unequivocally declared will defend with military force if needed. Too bad for your beloved China, they have already lost the game.

No, too bad you're no John Kirby so yar words are just for ya to da-kine believe for yar own satisfaction!

Enjoy!

@OA:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said Friday his recent remarks supporting Tokyo's claims over the sovereignty of the Japanese-controlled, China-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea were an "error" and apologized for any confusion.

"There is no change to U.S. policy regarding the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands," the press secretary said, apparently referring to Washington's position of neutrality over who has sovereignty over the uninhabited islets.

"I do regret my error," he added.

>

The US recognizes Japanese Adminustration of the Senkakus. The US stands that any attempt to take them by force will invoke Article 5 of the US-JPN Mutual Defense Treaty. Unless China is prepared for a shooting war with the United States, the game is over. China can gather their toys and go home. Or get sunk.

Hiro S. Nobumasa,

Make this thread a forum for free discussion of the Senkaku/Diaoyudao/Diaoyutai issue. If anyone claims there's a dispute about sovereignty over the islands, he sees there are conflicts of claims to them. Japan, PRC and ROC (Taiwan) each claim the islands are their own. 

Could Hiro S. Nobumasa give a reason why the Senkaku/Diaoyudao/Diaoyutai islands are Taiwan's sovereign territory? Could anyone else give a reason why they are PRC's?

Oh, when the U.S. returned Okinawa to Japan, the Senkakus were also returned to Japan as part of it. When a complaint was lodged against this measure from Taiwan and probably from China, it said only the administrative rights were returned to Japan, adding that a dispute about sovereignty over the islands was no concern of the U.S.  Can administrative rights and sovereignty be separated, I wonder?

voiceofokinawaMar. 22  03:46 pm JST

Oh, when the U.S. returned Okinawa to Japan, the Senkakus were also returned to Japan as part of it. When a complaint was lodged against this measure from Taiwan and probably from China, it said only the administrative rights were returned to Japan, adding that a dispute about sovereignty over the islands was no concern of the U.S. Can administrative rights and sovereignty be separated, I wonder?

Howdy voiceofokinawa!

The reason why Japan cannot build bases or military outposts in the TYT/Senkaku isles is because the USA clearly stated that a dispute on sovereignty exists and any unilateral change in the status quo is prohibited.

Thus, Uncle Sam only allows Japan to exercise administrative rights to maintain the status quo until the sovereignty problem is resolved.